[Monzsta]

It had 60k on it and was traded in at our dealership. Super clean, only thing wrong is left front clicking on turns and a tire that has a hop. I started sniffing around it out of curiosity and the price made me go get the keys for a ride.

Fast forward to the next day, I bought (stole) it for 11k. And discovered wives have much in common with hermit crabs as she promptly moved all her stuffs into it after a ride. Sigh.

Now onto my third night binge reading about our new toy and all the possibilities it offers!

 

[dannycamps]

Congrats on the purchase and enjoy your new toy.

Did the dealer take care of the clicking on turns issue? I've seen that reported here from others so appears to be something that affects the Gen 1 cars.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Has the coolant been flushed? It is due at 5yrs. Ask for proof that dealer did it. If they can't provide, assume it wasn't done. My 2013 was manufactured in Oct 2012, so it is due, yours may be too. Also, see if there are any paper records for the transmission fluid change at 45k miles. If you can't find any proof of that, I would assume it wasn't done either. The gen 1 has proven extremely reliable, but don't skip on the required maintenance.

 

[Monzsta]

Our dealer (Dodge) sold it to me "as is" and I'm familiar with that issue as a few of our products do it as well (Caravan, Journey). We have a slick washer that goes between the hub and the cv axle, but when the nut loosens up it'll let out a loud click/knock when shifting into D or R.

 

[Monzsta]

I've got a carfax that lists some visits to the dealer for maintenance, but being a technician, I'll likely handle those chores myself. All the fluids I can see or access look pristine and the car in general is as clean as a new one. I told the detail guy if he pops the hood he's a dead man! He likes to keep us busy by pressure washing engines and occasionally getting water in places it shouldn't be, and I was having none of that with my new car!

 

[colchiro]

It had 60k on it and was traded in at our dealership. Super clean, only thing wrong is left front clicking on turns and a tire that has a hop. I started sniffing around it out of curiosity and the price made me go get the keys for a ride.

Fast forward to the next day, I bought (stole) it for 11k. And discovered wives have much in common with hermit crabs as she promptly moved all her stuffs into it after a ride. Sigh.

Now onto my third night binge reading about our new toy and all the possibilities it offers!

Congrats! (and welcome to the forum).

Now lets get that thing tuned.

 

[wizard_of-ahs]

It had 60k on it and was traded in at our dealership. Super clean, only thing wrong is left front clicking on turns and a tire that has a hop. I started sniffing around it out of curiosity and the price made me go get the keys for a ride.

Fast forward to the next day, I bought (stole) it for 11k. And discovered wives have much in common with hermit crabs as she promptly moved all her stuffs into it after a ride. Sigh.

Now onto my third night binge reading about our new toy and all the possibilities it offers!

My bride was the same way.........loves the car !!

 

[hallcp]

Congratulations! I'm a Gen 2 owner, but a friend let me drive her Gen 1 a while back. Despite all the changes GM made, I felt right at home in the Gen 1. It has all the qualities I appreciated in my Gen 2, just a little less so. Of course, as you found, the price can be less as well! Gen 1's sell real quick around here (Raleigh, NC).

 

[Barry]

It has all the qualities I appreciated in my Gen 2, just a little less so.

Yes, the Gen 2 is a great car for those who don't miss the Homelink system, the distinctive styling, side blinkers, or more comfortable seats enjoyed by owners of the original Volt.

 

[jbakerjonathan]

Has the coolant been flushed? It is due at 5yrs. Ask for proof that dealer did it. If they can't provide, assume it wasn't done. My 2013 was manufactured in Oct 2012, so it is due, yours may be too. Also, see if there are any paper records for the transmission fluid change at 45k miles. If you can't find any proof of that, I would assume it wasn't done either. The gen 1 has proven extremely reliable, but don't skip on the required maintenance.

Although it would be prudent, absent a history of prior use, to consider having the transmission fluid changed at 45k miles, I want to point out that the Owner's Manual states that this needs to be done only if the car saw "severe" usage. The Manual defines "severe" as follows:

Severe are for vehicles that are:
. Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
. Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
. Frequently towing a trailer.
. Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
. Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart

Of course, it won't hurt to do all the maintenance now, to start out fresh. I probably would do that with a previously owned vehicle. I would consider the cost to be an insurance premium payment.

 

[Fred_B]

What a deal at $11K. The maintenance costs are minimal. I just changed the coolant and 12V battery, the first maintenance outside of oil changes and tire rotations in 5 years (my car was manufactured in late 2012). Only oil changes and tire rotations for the next 5 years as I probably won't hit 97,500 miles. Considering the low maintenance costs and the savings on gas, plus the $11K price of your car, what are you going to do with all the money you will save?

 

[Monzsta]

Thanks for all the replies. I had a few replies myself, but they went into moderation and subsequently disappeared, so I'll have to repost them.

 

[Monzsta]

Congrats on the purchase and enjoy your new toy.

Did the dealer take care of the clicking on turns issue? I've seen that reported here from others so appears to be something that affects the Gen 1 cars.

I did get around to retorquing the nuts. They were tight so I loosened them and the left one let out a loud snap. After retorquing to 185 ft/lbs and a quick spin around the parking lot the noise is greatly diminished. I could get it to click by romping on it but normal driving was silent. I'll probably pull the hub out and wire wheel/anti seize the splines and faces once I get it on the lift.

 

[Monzsta]

Bumped the tire pressure up to 45 psi from 33 as delivered on the Firestone Champion Fuel Fighters (Sidewall says Max 51 psi) and got 48.7 miles out of the battery on a half hearted attempt at economical driving. This car is a load of fun to drive... It's hard to resist that smile plastering pull of full throttle everywhere. I can't believe how well the car handles the higher pressure. My other cars that I've bumped up to 40+psi would beat you to death and wander everywhere. The Volt feels like they're still at 33 psi. That's saying something!

 

[Total_Idiot]

Has the coolant been flushed? It is due at 5yrs. Ask for proof that dealer did it. If they can't provide, assume it wasn't done. My 2013 was manufactured in Oct 2012, so it is due, yours may be too. Also, see if there are any paper records for the transmission fluid change at 45k miles. If you can't find any proof of that, I would assume it wasn't done either. The gen 1 has proven extremely reliable, but don't skip on the required maintenance.

I would replace the fluid but not "flush" myself.

 

[colchiro]

It's hard to resist that smile plastering pull of full throttle everywhere. I can't believe how well the car handles the higher pressure.

Wait until you update the driver demand tables (make the pedal more sport-like) in HPT to make it more like sport.

 

[Barry]

Bumped the tire pressure up to 45 psi from 33 as delivered on the Firestone Champion Fuel Fighters (Sidewall says Max 51 psi) and got 48.7 miles out of the battery on a half hearted attempt at economical driving. This car is a load of fun to drive... It's hard to resist that smile plastering pull of full throttle everywhere. I can't believe how well the car handles the higher pressure. My other cars that I've bumped up to 40+psi would beat you to death and wander everywhere. The Volt feels like they're still at 33 psi. That's saying something!

Yes, I believe the recommended pressure is simply way too low. It does not corner as well as it should, or give even tire wear at that setting. I am not sure why GM missed on this, or why it needs to be so high, but maybe it is due to smallish tires on a pretty heavy car. Fortunately the fix is so easy.

 

[hellsop]

Yes, I believe the recommended pressure is simply way too low. It does not corner as well as it should, or give even tire wear at that setting. I am not sure why GM missed on this, or why it needs to be so high, but maybe it is due to smallish tires on a pretty heavy car. Fortunately the fix is so easy.

Because "Harsh Ride" is something that people can complain about even at the test drive. "Does not corner well" is a thing few people check with a sales dude in the passenger seat, and tire wear takes 20k miles to show up.